Do you think BP makes you more in touch with the world? More understanding/empathetic? (It's okay to say no!)

I kinda going off jpb's thread about us "feeling" emotions more intensely than people w/o BP.

I think I'm definitely more empathetic than the average person. Having experienced depression multiple times, I can be very understanding when someone doesn't feel well. I know what it's like to hit rock bottom, and I know what it's like to be normal. I've felt everything in between.

I think having experienced the full spectrum of emotions, I just "get it" when someone's mood isn't normal. So in everyday situations, I can be empathetic when things go awry... well, somewhat.

But sometimes when I'm "down", I don't care to be empathetic. Does that make me selfish, or just a sourpuss?

[venusss]

Not sure if it is BP, but I am very sensitive person and always felt very interconnected with the world (which is not a good thing lately).

[leomama]

Here's irony: my daughter having noticed how visibly upset I was that the p doc I took her to dx her with bp told me "'see mom, I'm not lacking in empathy".

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[Coconutzo]

Yes I do. I ooze empathy, because I know so deeply what it's like to hurt.I just get swept up in other people's excitement, in their happiness, in their pain and anger. I've always wanted so badly to be heard and to be understood. My ownership of that is to pause and listen and really hear other people.

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[TgFlux]

I agree with venuss. For me most of the time is not good. Social connections affect me much and that's when I prefer isolation.

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[venusss]

Originally Posted by TgFlux

I agree with venuss. For me most of the time is not good. Social connections affect me much and that's when I prefer isolation.

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Well, I refuse to isolate. But it's hard. I just wish I was the tough chick I pretend to be.

But then I wouldn't be doing what I am doing. So well... I guess I need to accept myself as very feeling person.

[Unrigged64072835]

I'm pretty empathetic but I shut down when it gets too much. I guess it doesn't always come across that way.

[scatterbrained04]

I'm usually extremely empathetic, but I'm not sure how much it shows because I'm also socially awkward.

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[annielovesbacon]

I'm definitely more understanding of those who have mental illness... for example a friend of mine was talking about how hard it was for her to live with a roommate who was actively suicidal... I pulled her aside and said while I'm sure it was hard to live with that (it would be!) her roommate probably would not like that she was telling everyone about her suicide attempts, in detail (because I wouldn't).
I also am very understanding when people are upset and just want to be left alone. I'm good at leaving people alone.
What I'm NOT good at is sitting and listening to people talk about their problems. BP may have made me empathetic in some ways, but not like that. I don't like talking about my problems and I don't know how to handle it when others do.

[wares1ge]

Im not a very empathetic person, my mother even tells me I have "selective empathy". I have it for animals, and only certain people that I like.

[RomanJames2014]

YES!
Yes it does. I am the most sensitive person and I truly feel for other people. Especially animals.